Miller pips Cuche to defend Lauberhorn title

Cuche (left) had to accept second place again behind Miller in Wengen Keystone

Bode Miller of the United States has won the Lauberhorn downhill ski classic in the Swiss resort of Wengen, ahead of Switzerland's Didier Cuche.

Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Canada finished third on Sunday in an event carried out in perfect weather and skiing conditions.

Miller finished the longest downhill run in the world (4.48 km) in a time of two minutes, 30.4 seconds and, as last year, Cuche finished runner-up, 0.65 of a second behind.

It’s the second downhill victory for Miller this season after winning in Bormio at the end of December.

Skiing as an independent racer after parting company with the US team, Miller has now won six World Cup downhills.

Both Miller and Cuche were a class apart from the rest of the field, with Osborne-Paradis finishing 1.33 seconds behind the winner.

Austria’s Michael Walchhofer, the winner in Beaver Creek and Val Gardena earlier this season, finished fourth, 1.37 seconds behind Miller.

For Switzerland, Ambrosi Hoffmann came in 12th position, Didier Defago 17th and Daniel Albrecht 27th.

“Very aggressive”

“It was extremely fun, it didn’t feel that good in terms of the quality of the skiing but I was very aggressive,” Miller said.

“I kept really pushing forward the whole time. There was no braking.”

Miller has now equalled the American record for World Cup victories – 27 – a feat also achieved by Phil Mahre.

Only the best downhill specialists have won twice in Wengen. Miller now joins other notables Franz Klammer (Austria), Kristian Ghedina (Italy), Marc Girardelli (Luxembourg) and Stephan Eberharter (Austria).

Next weekend’s race at Kitzbühel in Austria, down the renowned Streif piste, could produce a fascinating battle between Miller, who has yet to win there, Cuche, who won in 1998, and the 2006 victor Walchhofer.

swissinfo with agencies

Lauberhorn downhill

The Lauberhorn downhill and the Streif in Kitzbühel are considered the two classic men’s events in World Cup skiing.

The Lauberhorn’s status can be compared with Wimbledon (tennis), Monte Carlo (Formula One) and Paris-Roubaix (cycling).

The event, which takes place in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, is an important factor for promoting tourism in the Bernese Oberland.

Television coverage presents the Jungfrau region as a ski and holiday destination to an international audience.

In 2007 the race was watched by more than a million people and was the most popular TV sport programme of the year, with an audience rating of 80%.

Women’s slalom in Maribor

Results of Sunday’s World Cup slalom race in Maribor, Slovenia:

1) Nicole Hosp, Austria – 1 minute 40.55 seconds
2) Veronika Zuzulova, Slovakia, 0.46 of a second behind
3) Marlies Schild, Austria, 0.51 of a second behind.

Switzerland’s Sandra Gini came in sixth place, her best career performance to date.
Other Swiss:
Aita Camastral – 11th
Aline Bonjour – 19th